Just in time for your summer vacation, there is a new land opening at Walt Disney World! Inside Hollywood Studios, the new Toy Story Land will open on June 30, 2018.

So what’s in the new land? There is a new Slinky Dog roller coaster that coils around curves, hills, and drops. In addition, there will be Alien Swirling Saucers that will swirl you in an alien rocket. You can go into Andy’s room and blast your way through a carnival themed arcade. Finally, Woody’s Lunch box will be open for themed treats and to make you an “honorary” toy.

According to the Disney Tourist blog, “The premise of the land is to shrink guests to the size of a toy to enter the land. The attractions will include a family-friendly roller coaster where guests board Slinky Dog’s back for a ride on a “coaster kit” toy that Andy has built in his play area (think Gadget’s Go Coaster or Barnstormer). The other attraction will be an Alien saucers attraction, with the little green aliens from the movie taking guests for a spin in their very own flying saucers (think Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree).”

Whew! It has been a great week for merchants, but a really bad week for my bank account. Well, my imaginary bank account, because I can’t actually purchase any of the items that are featured this week.

On Monday, Coach launched a line of Minnie Mouse handbags, coin purses and bag tags. They are stunning with their adorable dots and Minnie ears. But holy budget Batman, the cheapest item was $95, which was a bag tag. Aren’t those free at the airport? I must be the only one with budget constraints, because the entire site was sold out by Monday afternoon.

Now the kitchen can join the bandwagon, as Le Creuset has launched a Mickey Mouse Dutch Oven. It is bright red, with Mickey Mouse featured all around it and on the handle. I am not much of a cook, but even my humble oven would love a dash of red Mickey Mouse….until I saw the price tag. I don’t know how much the Dutch cook, but my entire stove did not cost as much as this Dutch Oven. I am not even sure what you make with a Dutch Oven, but I won’t be making it at my house.

Maybe in my dream, I will sit on my Ethan Allen Mickey Mouse chair, I will eat a home cooked meal from my Mickey Mouse Dutch Oven and happily swing my Minnie Coach purse. But for now, I will admire them from a distance.

Mickey Mouse is the most iconic animated character to receive a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He received his star on November 13, 1978. He has been followed by other notables such as Snow White on June 28, 1987 and Donald Duck in 2004. Many beloved Disney icons have received stars including Tinker Bell, Winnie the Pooh, and Kermit the Frog. But what about his beloved co-star? Minnie Mouse?

Minnie Mouse made her theatrical debut 90 years ago in the iconic Steamboat Willie Cartoon. She has been Mickey’s beloved co-star ever since. I guess since the new movement for equality in the arts, someone recognized that America’s Sweetheart deserved a star of her own!

The polka-dot bow wearing mouse is being honored upon her 90th anniversary in entertainment with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Minnie will receive her star on Monday, Jan. 22 at 11:30 a.m. PT at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Disney’s El Capitan Theatre, dedicated in the category of Motion Pictures. Congratulations Minnie!

It is the start of a new year! I love that the new year begins on a Monday, which is the beginning of a new week. I am full of hope and inspiration to make 2018 be the best year yet! I hope you are too! My New Year’s Resolution is “To Shine”.

Marianne Williamson said it brilliantly in her 1992 work Return to Love, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.’ We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we subconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

I have not been shy about mentioning how much I love Mickey Mouse. Normally, I wear black or grey and I have at least 20 black Mickey Mouse t-shirts. For Christmas, I received bright Mickey Mouse shirts and leggings. Look out world, I am wearing bright colors! This is 2018! I am going to Shine! Don’t you want to shine with me?